The Philippine Women’s National Football Team was eliminated from the 32nd Southeast Asian Games despite overcoming Vietnam 2-1 Tuesday night at the Smart RSN Stadium in Cambodia.
Sarina Bolden’s 13th-minute penalty and Hali Long’s 83rd-minute header were not enough for the Filipinas to qualify out of Group A because of Myanmar’s resounding 5-1 win over Malaysia, which was played out simultaneously.
The results meant that coach Alen Stajcic’s side finished third in the group with 6 points and a goal difference of +1 behind two wins and one defeat.
On the other hand, Vietnam and Myanmar entered the final four with 6 points each as well but superior goal differences of +4 and +3 respectively.
This is the first time the Philippines failed to make the semifinals since the 2013 edition of the event as no competition was held in 2015 while 2017 followed a round robin format.
Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy scored Vietnam’s goal in the 40th minute of the match to dampen the Filipinas’ hopes of making it to the next round.
Vietnam XI: Thi Kim Thanh Tran (GK), Nhu Huynh, Thi Thu Tran, Thi Loan Hoang, Tran Thi Thuy Nga, Thu Tuyet Dung Nguyen, Thi Thao Thai, Thi Diem My Le, Thi Bich Thuy Nguyen, The Van Duong, Thi Thu Thao Tran.
Philippines XI: McDaniel (GK), Long ©, Sawicki, Bolden, Flanigan, Bonta, Eggesvik, Harrison, Barker, Madarang, Quezada.
